About this Unit
**USAHAC Saigon** (U.S. Army Headquarters Area Command, Saigon) was a key support and administrative unit of the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Established in the early 1960s, USAHAC Saigon was responsible for providing logistical, security, and administrative support to U.S. military personnel and installations in the Saigon area. The unit played a critical role during the 1968 Tet Offensive, coordinating base defense and emergency response in the capital. USAHAC continued its operations until the drawdown of American forces, eventually ceasing activity with the fall of Saigon in April 1975.
Historical Facts
• USAHAC Saigon: Stands for United States Army Headquarters Area Command in Saigon, a key US Army command during the Vietnam War responsible for logistics, administration, and security in the Saigon area.
• Formation: USAHAC was established in 1966 to streamline command and control of US Army installations and activities in and around Saigon, which was the hub of American military operations in Vietnam.
• Tet Offensive 1968: USAHAC personnel played a crucial role during the Tet Offensive, defending Saigon's military installations when Viet Cong forces launched surprise attacks throughout the city.
• Compound Security: The command oversaw the protection of vital areas like MACV Headquarters, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, and the sprawling US Embassy compound.
• "White Mice": USAHAC coordinated with South Vietnamese police known as the "White Mice" for intelligence and security operations within Saigon.
• Black Market Crackdown: The command ran anti-black market operations to curb the illegal resale of US goods, which was rampant in the Saigon area.
• Saigon Shuttle: USAHAC operated transportation hubs and convoys, including the “Saigon Shuttle” buses, to safely move personnel through the city’s dangerous streets.
• Female Soldiers: Many Women’s Army Corps (WAC) personnel were assigned to USAHAC for administrative and communications duties, making Saigon one of the largest concentrations of female US troops in Vietnam.
• End of War: USAHAC was dissolved in 1973 as part of the US military withdrawal, with its facilities handed over to South Vietnamese authorities.
• Enduring Legacy: Veterans of USAHAC remember the unit for its unique blend of combat readiness and administrative efficiency, as well as the intense camaraderie forged during some of the war’s most dangerous days in Saigon.
